Keir Starmer launches blistering assault on Peter Mandelson – ‘he betrayed Britain’

Keir Starmer has launched a blistering attack on Peter Mandelson – accusing him of betraying Britain and saying he regrets appointing him.

The Prime Minister said Mandelson, who quit the House of Lords on Tuesday, had repeatedly lied before and after being appointed as ambassador to the United States. Documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest Mandelson leaked sensitive information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was Business Secretary under Gordon Brown.

A criminal investigation has been launched. A furious Mr Starmer said during PMQs: “To learn that there was a cabinet minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to 2008 crash is beyond infuriating, and I am as angry as the public and any member of this House.

“Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party. Mr Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him.

“If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.” He accused the New Labour heavyweight of creating “a litany of deceit”.

The Prime Minister added that he has ordered officials to draw up legislation to remove disgraced peers. He told the Commons: “I’ve instructed my team to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his title and wider legislation to remove disgraced peers.

“And this morning I’ve agreed with His Majesty the King that Mandelson should be removed from the list of privy councilors on the grounds that he’s brought the reputation of the Privy Council into disrepute.”